A 32-year-old driver, Donald Francis, was on Thursday arraigned before a Kaduna Magistrates’ Court for allegedly stealing 155 bags of fertilizer valued at N4.6 million from his employer.
Francis, a resident of Ungwan Boro in Kaduna, is facing a three-count charge of conspiracy, theft, and forgery.
According to the prosecutor, Inspector Chidi Leo, the defendant was employed by JJK Haulage & Transport Company and was assigned in June to deliver the fertilizer to a customer in Abuja. Instead, he allegedly diverted the goods and sold them to another buyer.
Leo told the court that Francis also forged the company’s waybill and converted the proceeds for personal use. The alleged fraud came to light when the intended recipient reported the non-delivery to the company, prompting an internal investigation and a formal complaint to the police.
The offences, Leo said, are in violation of Sections 58, 217, and 221 of the Kaduna State Penal Code (2017). Section 217 carries a penalty of up to seven years imprisonment for theft, while Section 58 prescribes two years for conspiracy.
Francis pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Magistrate Ibrahim Emmanuel granted the defendant bail in the sum of N500,000, with two sureties in like sum. The sureties must be gainfully employed, provide proof of tax payment for the past three years to the Kaduna State Government, and be residents of the state with verifiable addresses.
The case was adjourned to August 12 for hearing.
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